The Independents, Scene Of Irony, Loug, Molotov Latte

The Independents

The Nightmare starts off on a hot humid night, deep beneath a full moon in the swamps of South Carolina. Under the moss covered dead oak trees, surrounded by the loud eerie groans of bull frogs, four creatures of the night come together to form The INDEPENDENTS....
Formed in the early 90's by Evil Presly and Willy B, The Independents was born out of the frustration of music being stereo typed and just plain fucking boring. Willy and Evil both loved all music, from Conway Twitty to Iron Maiden, from The Ramones to Etta James and the Specials. Both loved horror and sci-fi movies and wanted to find some way to include it in their music. Evil started writing lyrics that told horror tales while Willy kept the guitar in one hand and gave the entire world the finger with the other. They rallied their friends together and started on their long journey through members, with only the goal of playing the music they wanted, when, where, and how they wanted.
After a few years and a few members, the guys had gathered a good following through rough demos and Compilation records from coast to coast. They signed a small indie deal with Rockduster Records and recorded their first album "In For The Kill". It was during this time that Evil met and befriended the bass player for the legendary Ramones, CJ Ramone. CJ got the Independents on a few opening dates of the Ramones' Acid Eaters tour. On their way to the first show with the Independents, Joey Ramone listened to some of the Independents demos given to him by CJ. He really dug what he heard and within minutes of arriving to the venue was introduced to the guys. After the shows, Joey made an offer the guys could not refuse. He told them he wanted to manage the band.

In For The Kill
Album Cover
The ghouls hit the road non-stop on tours with such bands as THE RAMONES and VOODOO GLOW SKULLS and an early BLINK 182 to support "In for the Kill". But due to the lack of record company support, they signed their next release to Elevator Music. The Independents got back to work and recorded the "Stalker" EP. They did several of their own national tours as well as playing with RANCID, REEL BIG FISH, and GREEN DAY. Doing several dates on The Ramones' Farewell tour, as well as many festivals from CMJ to South by South West, the guys hit them all. After all this heavy touring, the band went into the studio for several projects. They did a few songs in the BRUCE MCDONALD movie "HARDCORE LOGO". Then Joey Ramone and Daniel Rey produced the Danzig song "Mother" for a compilation as well as the guys backing up Joey on a few tracks that have yet to be released.

The Metro
Chicago, IL They soon found themselves with a few new faces in the group and back on the road again in support of their self titled single on Hell Cat / Epitaph Records. From the Warped tour to the New England Ski Fest, and to opening up for RONNIE SPECTOR and CITIZEN FISH, to CHEAP TRICK and SEBASTIAN BACH, there was never a break for these fiends. Between every tour they were recording a song or two for another compilation. Some of the times their tours lasted 10 months!
Joey and the guys finally decided to sit down and record the next full length album "Back From The Grave". They once again called on Daniel Rye to co-produce with Joey. They went into the studio for two weeks and then took a break to appear in the mystery horror spoof film, "FINAL RINSE" directed by ROBERT TUCKER. Then they hit the road again.
While in NY, their van and all their equipment was stolen. They lost everything. Van, trailer, merchandise, and personal items from tooth brushes to some of the gear that was given to them from the Ramones that we all know is irreplaceable. It all was gone. Over $60,000 worth of equipment, gone. The cops did nothing and the insurance companies did little more. The Independents had to start all over from step one. A lot of bands came to the aid of the group. Joey even threw a star studded benefit concert. There was no way the Independents would give up now. They went back to work getting all new equipment, van and trailer. Back in the studio, they recorded 4 more songs and put one live track featuring Joey on the album. They then had the album mastered by HOWIE WEINBURG. Two music videos for the songs "Little Blue" and "Death Notice" have also been shot by world famous director GEORGE SEMINARA (BEASTIE BOYS, RAMONES, DANZIG). The Independents did half the US and Canada with THE QUEERS early in 2001.

Evil Presly and Willy B With Joey Ramone
Manitoba's, NYC 12/12/00
After the passing of their manager, friend, and mentor Joey Ramone, the band set off on a full US tour with the MISFITS. They cut it short for time to mourn. Now the guys have their heads and hearts together. Before Joey passed he and the band put the "Unholy Living Dead" EP and the album "Back From The Grave" out themselves.

Willy B with coffin guitar
Jax, FL 9/10/02
In 2002, The Independents found themselves back out on the road for US tours with the WORLD FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY and the QUEERS, EYELINERS and BRIEFS, as well as their own headlining tours. In early 2003, they released "Live From Murder Beach" on AMP Records and recorded a few songs for comps on such labels as Cleopatra, Fast Music and Peephole records .Then they were back out on the road for seven months on tours with such bands as THE PIETASTERS and THE VOODOO GLOW SKULLS.
In 2004 they released the "Full Moon Arise" EP/CD ROM on Fast Music and had songs on several comps, most notably the "Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show" on Spring Man records. There was also quite a few B movies put out as well with Independents songs used for the soundtracks. After the successful North American part of The Independents "No Rest For The Wicked World Tour 04."The Independents were psyched to get started on the UK and European parts of the World Tour when tragedy struck them down.
On November 19, 2004, The Independents were in a very Serious Bus wreck with tour partners the Dangerfields in the UK. Willy B suffered multiple fractures on his left arm along with cuts and burns. Their driver was also seriously injured. He sustained several serious head injuries along with sever injuries to his body. The rest of the Independents got banged up pretty good as well. The Dangerfield's only looked like they had suffered major injuries but all of them actually only walked away with a few bruises and scratches. Needless to Say the Independents were in no condition to finish the tour. I guess there is some rest for the wicked after all.
Evil and Willy B 2005
After their release from the Hospital the Independents returned home to heal and regroup. Their Driver Ian was released on Christmas Day and is expected to make a full recovery after he under goes several more operations. Nows it's 2005 and work has already started on their next full length CD "Eternal Bond" and another world tour is being booked. The non stop marathon touring is about to start up again, so beware. The Independents are going to play the music they want, when, where, and how they want.